What Does a Mole Look Like?
Moles are small, burrowing rodents with paddle-shaped feet and prominent digging claws. They have nearly hairless, pinkish-white feet and snout. Moles have an elongated head and snout, small eyes, and no external ears. They are about 4 to 6 inches long and have short, brownish-black fur, which allows them to move easily through their underground tunnels.
What are the Signs of a Mole Infestation?
Moles are solitary animals and are active year-round. These voracious tunnel diggers spend their lives underground, constantly digging to hunt, feed, and form burrows. Molehills are created when the mole pushes soil up to the surface while digging out the deeper tunnels. These cone-shaped mounds of soil are about 6 to 12 inches in diameter and 2 to 4 inches high. Moles also create runs in lawns that look like small ridges and tunnels of pushed-up soil.
Professional Mole Control in Milwaukee, WI
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control provides mole removal and control services in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. Our certified rodent specialists trap, remove, and exclude moles from your property. We conduct a thorough pest inspection to identify signs of rodent activity, like burrows, tunneling, and vegetation damage. Trapping and exterior rodent control are the most effective ways to control moles in your lawn.
How Can I Prevent Moles in My Yard?
The following prevention tips will help deter moles from your property.
- Use a lawn roller to pack down loose soil, making it more challenging to dig through.
- Replace traditional soil or mulch with harder and drier materials like clay or gravel.
- Reduce soil moisture by improving drainage systems.
- Avoid over-watering your lawn to keep moisture levels down.
What Problems Do Moles Cause?
Moles are primarily outdoor pests. It is very rare to find a mole in the house. While molehills and tunnels may be an inconvenience, they do provide a healthy ecosystem. Moles eat large numbers of grubs, worms, and insects, and their digging helps to aerate the soil. However, some homeowners feel that the damage moles cause to their lawns outweighs the benefits. Moles are uncommon in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.
Mole FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What do moles eat?
Moles primarily eat grubs and earthworms. On occasion, moles will also eat slugs, millipedes, snails, centipedes, and grasses.
Where do moles live?
Moles live in meadows, pastures, woodlands, and other areas with sandy and well-drained soil. They avoid soil that is very rocky, wet, or full of clay.
How many babies do moles have?
Female moles typically have one litter of three to four young each year. The mating season usually takes place in early spring, which leads to the birth of the offspring in late spring or early summer. The female gives birth to the young in a nest located in one of her deeper tunnels. The young start to explore outside the nest at four to five weeks of age and will reach adult mole size by the time they are three months old.
How long do moles live?
The average lifespan of a mole is about three to six years. Since they rarely come to the surface, they are well protected from predators. However, foxes, coyotes, snakes, and badgers may dig moles out of their tunnels. Flooding is also a major cause of mortality, especially for the young.